Ex-Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus: ‘You can just keep blaming me’  —  Former Tigers manager Brad Ausmus returns to Detroit  —  Welcomed back by a bunch of television cameras and a well-represented Japanese media contingent, Detroit's favorite scapegoat returned to Comerica Park …

Diamondbacks facing roster crunch with Alex Avila's return imminent  —  Alex Avila played in a game for the second time in as many days at extended spring training, a significant step in the eyes of manager Torey Lovullo and a sign the Diamondbacks catcher is nearing a return from the injured list.

Consistency?  Conviction?  Look no further than Marlins veteran reliever Sergio Romo  —  The sun had set on Wrigley Field on Monday night as the Miami Marlins clung to a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth over the hometown Chicago Cubs after rallying back from being down three.

Rookie rivalry: Mets' Pete Alonso, Padres' Chris Paddack do battle after award snub  —  SAN DIEGO — Pete Alonso was the “top dog” as far as National League rookies go in April, but there's plenty of time left for Chris Paddack to win one too.  —  And judging by the way the San Diego Padres …

Roommates Nick Senzel and Josh VanMeter called up to Cincinnati Reds in same weekend  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Two days after Nick Senzel made his Major League debut, he had an emotional phone call celebrating the debut of his “best friend in baseball.”  —  Senzel and Josh VanMeter were roommates …

Source: Mac Williamson Called Up to Giants After Red-hot Start in Triple-A  —  SAN FRANCISCO — For a second straight year, Mac Williamson has forced the issue.  —  Williamson will join the Giants on Tuesday in Denver, NBC Sports Bay Area has learned.  The outfielder hit three homers Monday night, getting up to nine for the season.

Cain, Brewers roll a 6 in 7th inning, blank Nationals  —  Lorenzo Cain had a three-run double off Stephen Strasburg in the last of the seventh to snap a scoreless tie, and the host Milwaukee Brewers beat the struggling Washington Nationals 6-0 on Tuesday.  —  The Brewers, who scored all six …

Gio Urshela continues to earn playing time despite Miguel Andujar's return to the Yankees  —  Yankees manager Aaron Boone on the club's depth  —  NEW YORK - For now, the Yankees are having it both ways.  —  Miguel Andujar is back in the lineup and Gio Urshela remains a presence at third base.

Braves' Fried takes liner off hand; X-rays clean  —  LOS ANGELES — Atlanta Braves left-hander Max Fried exited Tuesday's start against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning after taking a line drive off his pitching hand.  —  X-rays came back negative and revealed that Fried suffered a contusion.

Rangers say bullpen is possible for Miller.  He hopes start vs. Pirates changes their mind  —  Shelby Miller is a starting pitcher.  He says so, and so does his Baseball Reference page.  —  The right-hander is scheduled for his seventh start of the season Wednesday and No. 131 of his career.

Indians' Kluber hoping to return this season  —  CLEVELAND — Indians ace Corey Kluber is hopeful he will be able to come back from a broken right arm and pitch again this season.  —  The two-time American League Cy Young Award winner spoke Tuesday for the first time since he was struck …

Indians SP Trevor Bauer calls out cyber bullies after struggling through loss to White Sox  —  After allowing 10 hits and eight runs in five innings of work against the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians starter Trevor Bauer responded to his critics on Twitter, imploring them to rise above bullying.

Royals belt two grand slams, smash Astros  —  Ryan O'Hearn and Whit Merrifield belted their first career grand slams, and the Kansas City Royals bashed their way to a 12-2 win over the Houston Astros Tuesday at Minute Maid Park.  —  The Royals squared the three-game set with Houston …

Could Sean Newcomb find a role in the Braves bullpen?  —  Sean Newcomb stopped thinking about what could happen.  When the Braves lefty was demoted to Triple-A Gwinnett, he was angry.  It forced a mindset reset.  —  Newcomb formally returned Monday following three games in the minors.